The Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA), founded in 1988, works to raise awareness of the critical role that affordable rental housing plays in Ontario. Self-described as capacity builders, the association educates members and offers training and resources to develop skills and offer tenants high-quality homes.

Here is a look at just some of the initiatives creating affordable housing opportunities:

Atlohsa/ Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services Partnership, London

This London-based project grew from a response to violence against Indigenous women in the region into 17 affordable apartment units serving Aboriginal families and singles.

With the donation of a 16-unit heritage building, Atlohsa saw the potential: spacious, high-quality, family-sized apartments; affordable rents; proximity to downtown services, including its own offices; and a large commercial space that could be leased to generate revenues for Atlohsa’s programs.

Finlandia Village, Sudbury

A program in collaboration between Sudbury Finnish Rest Home Society and the Finlandia SISU Charitable Foundation, the project serves more than 400 seniors with a wide array of housing and care needs, with approximately 40 per cent being Finns.

The project consists of Finlandiakoti: a 90-unit apartment building funded through CMHC’s Sec. 95 program; Palvelukoti: 46 units of supportive housing, with LHIN-funded assisted living services; Lepokoti: 82 apartments with a 24/7 PSW on-site. Funded through the Investments in Affordable Housing Program; Hoivakoti: a 110-bed Long-Term Care Home with 24/7 nursing staff, funded by MOHLTC; Rivitalo: a 31-unit life-lease townhouse project; and Majatalo: shared transitional housing for four seniors.

The Oaks, Ottawa

Through collaboration between Shepherds of Good Hope; Ottawa Inner City Health; and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), the program enables homeless alcoholics and people with serious physical and mental health challenges to stay housed and to rebuild their health and their lives.

The project includes a renovated hotel with 36 units plus offices, a dining area and lounge, a billiard room, TV room, laundry, garden, outdoor smoking area and wine-making room; a 19-unit building with self-contained bachelor apartments; and security features including a gated courtyard and cameras in both buildings.

Spruce Corners, Apsley

A collaboration between Peterborough Housing Corporation (PHC) and the Canadian Red Cross, the project offers two-hour/day home care allocation combined to provide full-time services for eight people, filling the gap between independent living and long-term care for frail seniors.

ONPHA is home to more than 700 non-profit housing providers who house more than 400,000 people in 220 communities across the province.

Hard Rock, Rideau Carleton Raceway apply for site rezoning to permit hotel as part of $318 million investment

Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Hard Rock International and the Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino have filed a rezoning application to develop their casino and entertainment project at the existing Rideau Carleton Raceway site.

The organizations say in a news release that they plan to invest more than $318 over six years on the multi-phased project.

The zoning bylaw application seeks permission to include a hotel, an increase in the building height to accommodate the hotel, “the addition of a ‘theatre’ as a permitted use, for 2,500 seat Hard Lock Live Venue, and an allowance for an additional 20 gaming tables.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to create a vibrant entertainment destination for not only residents of Ottawa, but for the millions of tourists that visit the Nation’s Capital each year,” Hard Rock International chair Jim Allen said in a statement. “Our commitment is to develop a world-class facility while ensuring the highest standards of customer service and responsible gaming practices.”

“Our application for rezoning puts us that much closer to breaking ground on a project that we are confident will re-energize the Ottawa entertainment scene and give our local economy and horse racing industry a significant boost,” said Andrew Wright, director of the Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino.

]]>https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/hard-rock-ottawa-awaits-approval-of-zoning-application-for-planned-expansion/feed/0Female industry leaders to be recognized at 2018 WIN Awardshttps://ontarioconstructionreport.com/female-industry-leaders-to-be-recognized-at-2018-win-awards/
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Female leaders who have made an impact in Canada’s infrastructure industry will be recognized during the 4th Women’s Infrastructure Network Awards, with a reception slated for April 12 in various locations across six cities. However, WIN is holding the flagship ceremony in KPMG’s office at 333 Bay Street, Toronto. Each year, the organization receives more […]]]>

Female leaders who have made an impact in Canada’s infrastructure industry will be recognized during the 4th Women’s Infrastructure Network Awards, with a reception slated for April 12 in various locations across six cities. However, WIN is holding the flagship ceremony in KPMG’s office at 333 Bay Street, Toronto.

Each year, the organization receives more than a hundred nominations but only two winners are selected to be awarded as Outstanding Leader and Emerging Leader.

“These awards aim to celebrate excellence… and further support our mission to recognize women as leaders in this growing field in which historically women have been under-represented,” states WIN in its official website.

Nominations are still welcome until Feb. 21. Consent and nomination forms must be completed to submit an entry, with the following attached documents: a statement of support showing how the nominee meets the criteria; a short biography; two letters of support from industry members; and a high-resolution photo measuring at least 600 px wide and 900 px tall.

Entries can be made by either the nominees themselves or another person. The five nominees who are short-listed will receive two free tickets each. Extra ones can be purchased as soon as sales begin in March.

A nominee should generally be a Canadian resident of at least one year working in a role related to the infrastructure industry. Specific criteria for each award are as follows:

Outstanding Leader Award

Succeeds in her work field

Actively participates in both professional and local communities

Maintains a good standing with present and previous organizations

Contributes to the professional development of women in the sector

Serves as a strong role model

Emerging Leader Award

Has less than 15 years of industry experience and/or is aged below 40

Makes professional contributions that are outstanding and/or one-of-a-kind

Supports the advancement of women in the field

Keeps an active community involvement

Shows potential of being a good industry leader

Additionally, winners get to choose the recipients of WIN’s scholarships for 2018. Nominations are made through the organization’s official website and will be reviewed by an independent panel of judges.

]]>https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/female-industry-leaders-to-be-recognized-at-2018-win-awards/feed/0MacKenzie Vaughan Hospital to become Canada’s first ‘smart’ medical centerhttps://ontarioconstructionreport.com/mackenzie-vaughan-hospital-to-become-canadas-first-smart-medical-center/
https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/mackenzie-vaughan-hospital-to-become-canadas-first-smart-medical-center/#respondTue, 20 Feb 2018 07:34:29 +0000https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/?p=8008
Upon its completion by 2020, the MacKenzie Vaughan Hospital will become Canada’s first medical center to have a fully-integrated smart technology system, as well as interactive medical devices. Being a dual-site model, the existing MacKenzie Richmond Hill Hospital is likewise slated for similar upgrades to provide surrounding communities with more accessible and seamless medical services. […]]]>

Upon its completion by 2020, the MacKenzie Vaughan Hospital will become Canada’s first medical center to have a fully-integrated smart technology system, as well as interactive medical devices.

Being a dual-site model, the existing MacKenzie Richmond Hill Hospital is likewise slated for similar upgrades to provide surrounding communities with more accessible and seamless medical services.

To achieve such feat, MacKenzie Health has to transform the way it delivers healthcare. Besides featuring centralized communications and the Internet of Healthcare Things, a unified workflow strategy will be implemented in both hospitals.

Presently, a total of 75 smart strategies are being developed to boost staff performance by ultimately increasing the amount of time caregivers spend with each of their patients.

An example is one responding to Code Blue or a cardiac arrest. If the vital signs monitor detects any abnormalities, it will automatically alert the Critical Care Response Team through real-time location services.

Team members are to wear badges that override nearby elevators to save time. Once the alert has also been triggered, the patient’s hospital bed will return to flat position in preparation for resuscitation, and the IV pump is disabled from administering narcotics that may result in respiratory distress.

For easier reference, an in-room display will project an overview of the patient’s record. The alert then automatically stops once the team has already arrived.

Moreover, hospital rooms are designed with wood accents, large windows, and enough space to accommodate visitors. Each has an Integrated Beside Solution that does not only contain patient information but also temperature and light control, entertainment options, and food selections.

MacKenzie Vaughan Hospital’s interiors are still under construction.

]]>https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/mackenzie-vaughan-hospital-to-become-canadas-first-smart-medical-center/feed/0Brian Vlaming takes the Ottawa Construction Association’s helm as association implements decline-averting strategic planhttps://ontarioconstructionreport.com/brian-vlaming-takes-the-ottawa-construction-associations-helm-as-association-implements-decline-averting-strategic-plan/
https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/brian-vlaming-takes-the-ottawa-construction-associations-helm-as-association-implements-decline-averting-strategic-plan/#respondSat, 17 Feb 2018 20:51:57 +0000https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/?p=8005
LTR Industries president Brian Vlaming took the helm as the Ottawa Construction Association’s (OCA) 2018 chair at its annual general meeting on Feb. 13. About 420 members registered to attend the event at the Centurion Event Centre. In his acceptance speech, Vlaming said the association under 2017 chair Greg Clunie developed a strategic plan with […]]]>

LTR Industries president Brian Vlaming took the helm as the Ottawa Construction Association’s (OCA) 2018 chair at its annual general meeting on Feb. 13. About 420 members registered to attend the event at the Centurion Event Centre.

In his acceptance speech, Vlaming said the association under 2017 chair Greg Clunie developed a strategic plan with several working projects so the “OCA may stay ahead of the decline that other associations are experiencing.”

“In a nutshell, the focus of the plan is to grow the membership by increasing the value of being a member of the OCA by expansion of the education and professional development program, as well as the creation of a major industry symposium,” he said.

Vlaming said as the OCA prepares to move to its new headquarters on Auriga Dr. in June, it will be adding two new staff members – one responsible for membership development and liaison, and the other for member training and facilities.

Vlaming began his career in the skilled trades in 1978 with a carpentry apprenticeship. After working in LTR Industries’ millwork shop for several years, he assumed a greater managerial role and eventually bought the business, which currently employs 30 people.

“Education plays an ever-increasing role in all of our lives,” he said in a statement. “OCA offers great value to member companies of all sizes through its robust education, training and professional development programs. I see an opportunity for all our members to access these services and to learn and grow in a challenging and ever-changing industry.”

Financial statements approved at the AGM indicate the association continues to have a healthy financial position, as it completed the purchase of its new headquarters. Net assets remained nearly the same from 2016 at $6,939,981.

Membership declined slightly last year by 25 members to 1,160, the only time (other than 2013) since 2000 that membership has dropped. However, the solid balance sheet suggests that each member would have almost $7,000 in equity if the association operated as a business.

One explanation for the slight membership decline may be pressures on small and medium-size contractors, who are suffering from a decline in available work despite record-level overall building permit volumes. The City of Ottawa reported permits in 2017 increased by 3 from 2016 per cent to exceed $2.684 billion.

Unfortunately, much of the volume was in a “handful of mega-projects,” while there was a shortage of smaller and medium sized projects.

“As a result, the city’s largest general and subcontractors – those with the expertise and the resources to build the mega projects – thrived, while those in the middle of the market and below found themselves wondering where their next project would come from,” the OCA said in its annual report. “Indeed, some smaller-value public tender projects hosted at the OCA plans room saw as many as 10 or 14 bidders.”

The OCA says that experts at the association’s industry forum last November said they expected this “whale hunting” phenomena will continue. “Projects like Trinity station, Lebreton Flats, Zibi, Parliament Hill and light rail will continue to grab headlines and keep the city’s biggest general and subs occupied,” the annual report said.

“Meanwhile the question has to be asked: ‘What’s to come for the owners and buyers of the small and medium-sized jobs.’”

During the meeting, former OCA and CCA chair Serge Massicotte presented a report about the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) support for a legacy project to build a trade school in Haiti to help the impoverished nation recover form its devastating 2010 earthquake. There will be a special fund-raising golf tournament on Aug. 13, where the OCA hopes to raise at least $30,000 of the remaining $700,000 required to complete the project.

Here is the list of applications to the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) for the week of Feb 5.

]]>https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/weekly-olrb-applications-beginning-jan-15-2-2/feed/0Waterfront Toronto to collect public comment on Don River Renaturalizationhttps://ontarioconstructionreport.com/waterfront-toronto-to-collect-public-comment-on-don-river-renaturalization/
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Waterfront Toronto, the organization that facilitates revitalization projects along the area, will hold a community meeting on Feb. 22 to solicit public feedback on the proposed design of Promontory Park and River Valley. The team behind the Don Mouth Naturalization and Port Lands Flood Protection project, as well as Ward 30 Councilor Paula Fletcher and […]]]>

Waterfront Toronto, the organization that facilitates revitalization projects along the area, will hold a community meeting on Feb. 22 to solicit public feedback on the proposed design of Promontory Park and River Valley.

Venue is in Daniels Spectrum, Ada Slaight Hall at 585 Dundas St. East, Toronto. Community members are invited to drop by from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to voice out their opinion on the two particular projects that are both part of a seven-year project aiming to renaturalize the mouth of Toronto’s Don River.

Such undertaking calls for the construction of new roads and bridges; several parks; an island; and a river valley within the Port Lands. Collectively, these reclaimed spaces are anticipated to bring a variety of new activities and experiences to the city.

Information about the project will be discussed during the meeting, with representatives from the city of Toronto and Region Conservation present to address questions and concerns.

The Promontory Park is planned for the edge of Villiers Island, the man-made land formation which is among the project’s key components.

Landscaping and design has been tasked to Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, which envisions the space to be divided into two portions. The northern segment will rise on an infill, while the remaining area to the south is incorporating the Cousin Quay’s Western Docks into its design.

These details are still preliminary and subject to change after considering comments from community members.

]]>https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/waterfront-toronto-to-collect-public-comment-on-don-river-renaturalization/feed/0CSC Student Design Competition sets Kitchener challengehttps://ontarioconstructionreport.com/csc-student-design-competition-sets-kitchener-challenge/
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Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) Grand Valley and Toronto Chapters are inviting participation in the fifth annual Student Design Competition, open to all current post-secondary school students in Ontario with an interest in construction-related activities including architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, interior design, construction management, innovative products, and manufacturing. Each year a site of significant historic, architectural […]]]>

Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) Grand Valley and Toronto Chapters are inviting participation in the fifth annual Student Design Competition, open to all current post-secondary school students in Ontario with an interest in construction-related activities including architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, interior design, construction management, innovative products, and manufacturing.

Each year a site of significant historic, architectural or community interest is chosen as a case study with the potential of aligning with concurrent design studio curriculum, the chapters say in a news release announcing the competition.

This year’s theme for the challenge is “Hospitality” and the subject building is 48 Ontario St., a 15,000+ sq. ft. building in the heart of Kitchener’s downtown technology cluster. Recently acquired from the City of Kitchener through a competitive pitch process, the new owner has a vision to repurpose the building in a way that both celebrates its past and guarantees its future.

“Voisin Capital is committed to playing an active role in shaping the Region of Waterloo, the City of Guelph and surrounding communities and is an enthusiastic supporter of student mentorship, partnering with us for three successful challenges,” the statement says.

Entries may be submitted by individuals, or by teams with as many as people. While no budgetary restrictions are imposed, design proposals will be judged, in addition to visual and programming content, on their effective use of prescribed materials and (not surprisingly) the strength of their technical specification documentation.

Registration closes on Wednesday, April 25 and the final deadline for submissions is Friday, April 27 at midnight.

For complete details visit the official website at

The CSC Student Design Competition Committee says it appreciates the ongoing support from iGuide team, a local Kitchener-Waterloo start-up and emerging leader in real estate technology products with market penetration throughout the world.

“The iGuide 3D virtual tour of the main and second floors at 48 Ontario Street (complete with software that dimensions the space), allows us to open up the competition to all students, providing the benefits of a site visit to those unable to travel to the site while eliminating the risks of exploring an unrestored heritage building, particularly liability to owners and contractors

]]>https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/csc-student-design-competition-sets-kitchener-challenge/feed/0Ontario Construction Report: February issue publishedhttps://ontarioconstructionreport.com/ontario-construction-report-february-2018/
https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/ontario-construction-report-february-2018/#respondFri, 09 Feb 2018 01:16:35 +0000https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/?p=7975
The January issues of Ontario Construction Report, GTA Construction Report and Ottawa Construction News have been published. You can view the stories within the publications through links at the respective websites or, if you are receiving Ontarioconstructionreport.com weekly eletter, clicking at the sidebar images. Here is the link to the page turning software version of January’s Ontario Construction […]]]>

]]>https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/ontario-construction-report-february-2018/feed/0Enbridge’s Affordable Housing New Construction Program helps in designing cost effective and energy-efficient buildingshttps://ontarioconstructionreport.com/enbridges-affordable-housing-new-construction-program-helps-in-designing-cost-effective-and-energy-efficient-buildings/
https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/enbridges-affordable-housing-new-construction-program-helps-in-designing-cost-effective-and-energy-efficient-buildings/#respondThu, 08 Feb 2018 00:00:57 +0000https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/?p=7984
Ontario Construction Report special feature With rising costs, energy efficiency is a critical tool for affordable housing providers to optimize consumption and reduce operating costs. Since 2016, Enbridge Gas has offered the Affordable Housing New Construction Program (AHNC) to support energy efficiency in affordable housing. The program educates builders and developers on the opportunity to […]]]>

Ontario Construction Report special feature

With rising costs, energy efficiency is a critical tool for affordable housing providers to optimize consumption and reduce operating costs. Since 2016, Enbridge Gas has offered the Affordable Housing New Construction Program (AHNC) to support energy efficiency in affordable housing. The program educates builders and developers on the opportunity to design more energy efficient affordable homes, and provides financial incentives for building energy efficient units.

Both multi-residential buildings and single family housing developments are eligible to participate, says Cam Black, an energy solutions consultant with Enbridge. “A project might consist of 20 townhomes, a mid-rise apartment block, or a high-rise residential tower.”

The AHNC program is designed to help housing providers seeking ways to cost-effectively increase the energy performance of buildings, at an up-front cost they can manage.

“The program provides participating housing providers with assistance from sustainable building experts and energy modellers in a design charrette focused specifically on their housing development. The design charrette allows participants to see how various design choices will save them energy and money.”

According to Black, the design charrettes are comprehensive and project-specific at the same time. They can include details on building envelope, mechanical systems, indoor air quality, storm water, accessibility, green roofs or renewable energy options, based on what the housing provider identified in its pre-charrette meeting as being relevant.

More efficient buildings benefit housing providers through lower energy operating costs, which helps to maintain housing affordability over the long term. Residents of more efficient buildings also enjoy increased in-home comfort, and potential improvements in noise reduction and indoor air quality. “Of course, there is also the reduced environmental footprint,” says Black, “which ultimately benefits everyone.”

Enbridge covers the cost of the design charrette and also leverages its industry connections to bring specialists and energy experts to the table. In addition, Enbridge will provide financial incentives for building projects that achieve enhanced levels of energy performance. Single family homes, for example, must meet the Energy Star for New Homes standard, and multi-residential buildings must be at least seven per cent more energy efficient than required by the Ontario Building Code.

The first AHNC participant to complete construction on its affordable housing project was Thorold Non-Profit Housing Corporation, in July 2017. Black says Thorold’s 14-unit senior’s residence uses 35 per cent less energy than it would if it were just designed to meet Ontario Building Code requirements. “This translates into more than $6,800 in annual energy cost savings, and means that Thorold’s investment in enhancing the building’s energy performance will be paid off through savings in just over five years of operation.”

Some of the energy saving features of the new senior’s residence include improved wall insulation, high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment, programmable thermostats, and occupancy sensors – all of which are design options recommended in the design charrette.

“By participating in Enbridge’s Affordable Housing New Construction program and enhancing the energy efficiency of their new senior’s residence, Thorold Non-Profit Housing has made a strategic commitment to reducing energy operating costs and maintaining housing affordability over the long-term.”

Black says feedback on the program indicates that the information participants get during the charrettes is really useful to them. “Particularly the energy modelling,” says Black, “because it spells out the benefits and the payoff of the design choices. Participants also appreciate the incentives because affordable housing projects are usually budget-constrained so the incentives, combined with the modelling really help them to make the case and get buy-in for improving the building’s efficiency.”

Mohini Datta-Ray, executive director of the North York Women’s Shelter, would agree. She and her team participated in the AHNC program in 2017, and she summarizes her experience as follows:

“It was such a wonderful and educational day that brought forward critical information for us to consider in the design to actualize our vision for a healing, therapeutic and sustainable space. Thanks for all your hard work – I’m beyond impressed at the calibre of work and that this program is even available!”